Cable reel control mechanism



April 30, 1968 Filed Aug. 15, 1966 UNWINDING J. M. KEMPER CABLE REEL CONTROL MECHANISM 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 TAN K IN VENTOR.

James M. Kemper 4 222M TTORIVE'V April 30, 1968 KEMPER 3,380,545

CABLE REEL CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 97 WINDING-D Iii NEUTRAL 67 UNWINDING /3 Ii. 1 D 5v F. 4 INVENTOR.

TANK g g BY James M. Kemper T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,380,545 CABLE REEL CONTROL MECHANISM James M. Kemper, Park Forest, 11]., assignor to Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,451 6 Claims. (Cl. 180-2) This invention relates to improvements in cable reeling systems for mining machines. It particularly relates to hydraulically operated cable reel drive and control circuits for mobile cutting machines.

With the high horsepower requirements of modern mining machines, storage and handling of electrical trailing cables require a more varied control for the reel storing the cable than has been available in the past. For example, when operating a mobile universal cutting machine for long periods at full capacity, the electrical energizing cable should be removed from the reel drum for ventilation to prevent the build-up of excessive heat in the inner wraps of the cable. However, when the cutting machine is merely being tramrned from one work location to another, the electrical load handled by the cable is not heavy and cable heating is not a problem.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulically operated cable reel drive and control system which enables the cable to be unreeled from the drum when the cutting machine is working at full capacity at the face; and enables automatic control of the reel during the tramming operation, to quickly take up or pay out cable depending upon the tramming direction.

The present invention also provides for manually-controlled reeling of the cable in preparation for tramming to a new work location.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram illustrating a form of fluid pressure reel operating circuit, as may be employed by a mobile mining machine arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention, showing the control condition established when set on automatic and tramming in a reverse direction;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the control condition established when set on automatic and tramming in a forward direction;

FIG; 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the control condition when winding cable on the reel without tramming the machine; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the control condition when pulling cable off the reel without tramming the mining machine.

In FIG. 1, a fluid pressure pump 11 is shown having an intake suction line 13 connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir or tank 15, and a pump pressure line 17 connected to a port of a divertor valve 21. A second port 23 of the divertor valve is connected back to the tank by a return line 25. Divertor valve 21 has two additional ports 27 and 29 which are optional fluid pressure output ports selectively connected to pump pressure line 17 by manual operation of handle 31. A suitable spool and internal porting of the divertor valve 21, not shown, establishes the desired flow of fluid under pressure.

In FIG. 1, with handle 31 in the automatic position, ports 19 and 29 are in communication. At the same time ports 27 and 23 are in communication. An input pressure port 37 of an auxiliary valve is connected to optional pressure port 29 of divertor valve 21 by a line 33. A second port 39 is connected back to tank 15 by a line 41. Auxiliary valve 35 has two output ports 43 and 45 ar- 'ice ranged to communicate alternately with port 37, by suitable spool and porting not shown.

A tram control valve means 47 is provided to supply fluid under pressure to a pair of tram motors 49, 49, arranged to propel the mining machine along the ground, by means of suitable circuitry which is not a part of the present invention. The valve means 47 may be controlled by a handle 51. The auxiliary valve 35 is operably responsive to the selection of the tramming direction of the mining machine: either connecting line 33 with pressure lines 53 and 57 leading to a reel motor pump 55; or connecting line 33 with the fluid storage tank 15 through lines 59 and 63, divertor valve 21 and return tank line 25.

Auxiliary valve 35 may either be mechanically, hydraulically or electrically responsive to the tramming direction. By way of example, a cam 65 operable with the handle 51 may mechanically establish a desired control condition in the auxiliary valve 35 through physical contact with a spool extension 66. In FIG. 1, a cable reel 69 is shown having an electrical cable 71 wound thereon. The cable is adapted to be connected at its free end to a source of electrical power such as nip 67 to supply electrical power to the mining machine. A fluid motor pump 55 is provided to rotatably drive the reel 69 and may be connected thereto in any suitable manner. As shown in the FIG. 1 operating condition, tramming the mining machine toward the nip 67, in a reverse direction, will automatically supply fluid pressure to the motor pump 55 of the cable reel 69, thereby causing cable 71 to be Wound upon the cable reel. A tank line 73 is provided to complete the circuit back to the storage tank 15.

A shuttle valve 75 having ports 79, 81 and 83 is provided at the juncture of lines 53, 57 and 63. Port 79 serves line 53, port 81 serves line 57 and port 83 serves line 63. A shuttle spool 77 (in this case shown as a ball) in shuttle valve 75 is arranged to shift and allow passage of fluid from line 53 to line 57 via ports 79 and '81 when pressure exists in the line 53. At the same time, port 83, connected to line 63, is blocked. Fluid under pressure is thus supplied to the reel motor pump 55 through the shuttle valve 75 when the auxiliary valve 35 senses a reverse tram condition when the handle 31 of the divertor valve is in the automatic position.

The forward tram condition, shown in FIG. 2, provides for shifting an internal spool (not shown) in the auxiliary valve 35, to block the passage of fluid between the ports 37 and 45 and establish a connection between the ports 37 and 43 instead. Communication between ports 45 and 39 is also established in this operating condition. This provides a tank communication from the pressure line 33 through lines 59, 63 and return line 25. It should be remembered that the automatic position of divertor valve 21, shown in FIG. 2, places ports 27 and 23 in communication and at the same time places ports 19 and 29 in communication. Hydraulic fluid can thus be returned to the tank at a minimum backpressure when the mining machine is tramming in a forward direction.

Cable being pulled from the reel 69 will drive motor pump 55 as a pump and produce a volume of pressure fluid in the line 57 leading to port 81 of shuttle valve 75. A return to tank is available through the shuttle valve 75 either by way of line 53 or line 63, depending upon the position of the shuttle spool 77.

One-way restriction means, generally designated 85, is provided in line 57. This comprises a check valve 84 which enables full flow to pass in one direction only, and a small orifice 86 which enables a small fiow in either direction. By this arrangement, a small backpressure as determined by orifice 86 is maintained against the motor pump 55 when cable is pulled off the reel to prevent the reel from over-spinning and paying off more cable than desired.

The auxiliary valve 35 is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 as having the same port communication in both the neutral and forward positions of the tram control valve 47.

Alternatively, by an arrangement not shown in the drawings, it may be preferable that the auxiliary valve 35 have the same port communication in both neutral and reverse positions of the tram control valve 47. This would provide advantageously rapid response for winding up cable when changing from neutral to reverse tram conditions.

FIG. 3 shows the divertor valve handle 31 in the on position to wind cable on the reel under manual control. This connects port 19 to 27, and 23 to 29. The pressure fluid output of pump 11 thus moves from pressure line 17 into line 63 via divertor valve 21. A check valve 61 in the branch line 59 connected to line 63 blocks the flow of pressure fluid from the line 63. Fluid under pressure is thus delivered through the shuttle valve 75 into line 57, shifting shuttle spool 77 to block port 79. Free flow to the motor pump 55 is permitted through the check valve 84. Cable, previously pulled off the reel to prevent heat build-up during full capacity mining operation, will at this time be wound upon the reel preparatory for tramming to another working place.

In the FIG. 4 circuit, the divertor valve handle 31 is shown in the ofi" position. At this time, fiuid from pressure line 17 discharges to tank via ports 19 and 23 and return line 25. And lines 33 and 63 connect to tank via ports 29, 27 and 23 and return line 25. This operating condition is required when the electrical trailing cable is pulled ofi the storage reel to prevent overheating during the mining operation, especially in the cable wraps closest to the reel drum. With the cable off the reel, it is ventilated by the ambient and much larger currents can be handled by the cable without danger of frying or breakdown of the insulation. When the cable 71 is manually pulled from the reel 69, a flow of pressure fluid is produced by the motor pump 55, now acting as a pump, into the line 57. The pressure fluid enters the motor pump 55 from the line 73 connected to tank 15. The oneway restriction 85 resists the flow of fluid pressure somewhat, to prevent free spinning of the reel. Shuttle valve 75 provides a passage to the tank through either lines 53 or 63, depending on the position of the shuttle spool 77. Shuttle valve 75 is always vented to tank through one or the other of these lines.

The one-way restriction means 85 may be of any suitable configuration, providing free flow of hydraulic fluid to the pump motor 55, and providing a restricted flow of hydraulic fluid away from the motor pump. It may include an adjusting means (not shown) providing a variable restriction. When the mining machine is tramming forward and suddenly stops, the one-way restriction 85 effectively brakes the cable reel to prevent excessive cable unreeling. A minimum tension is maintained on the cable by the one-way restriction 85 when the mining machine is in the neutral tram condition.

In accordance with conventional practice, safety relief valves 87, 88 may be placed in the circuit for pro tection of the various hydraulic components. (Safety relief valves 87, 88 are shown in broken lines.)

It will be understood that while this invention is illustrated and described in one form it may assume in practice, the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a movable machine having tram drive means energized through a power cable with one end portion wound upon a cable reel carried by the machine and another end portion fastened to a nip remote from the machine; tram control means for the tram drive means being selectively actuatable to FORWARD condition for tramming the machine away from the nip while paying 01f cable from the reel, to REVERSE 9Qndition for tramming the machine toward the nip while winding cable onto the reel, and to NEUTRAL condition for tramming in neither direction; a hydraulic control circuit for the cable reel including a pump, a pump divertor valve, a hydraulic motor-pump connected to drive the reel, and a tank arranged in series relation; the improvement comprising:

said divertor valve being selectively operable to one of the following three conditionsan ON position in which the pump outlet is connected through the divertor valve to the inlet of the motor-pump,

an OFF position in which the pump outlet is connected through the divertor valve to the tank, bypassing the motor-pump, and

an AUTOMATIC position in which the pump outlet is connected through the divertor valve to the inlet of an auxiliary valve;

said auxiliary valve being operable responsive to operation of the tram control means to one of the following two conditionsa position in which the pump outlet is connected through the divertor valve and the auxiliary valve to the tank in FORWARD condition of the tram control means; and

a position in which the pump outlet is connected through the divertor valve and the auxiliary valve to the inlet of the motor-pump in the REVERSE condition of the tram control means.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which there is a first conduit communicating between the high pressure side of the motor-pump and tank in certain operative positions of the diverter valve, a second conduit communicating between the auxiliary valve and the first conduit, means responsive to flow in the second conduit for automatically blocking communication between the motor-pump and tank through the first conduit.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said certain operative positions of the divertor valve include at least one of the following: AUTOMATIC and OFF."

4. The combination of claim 2 in which said first conduit has means for restricting flow from the motorpump.

5. In a movable machine having tram drive means energized through a power cable with one end portion wound upon a cable reel carried by the machine and another end portion fastened to a nip remote from the machine; tram control means for the tram drive means being selectively actuatable to FORWARD" condition for tramming the machine away from the nip while pay ing oif cable from the reel, to REVERSE? condition for tramming the machine toward the nip while winding cable onto the reel, and to NEUTRAL condition for tramming in neither direction;

a hydraulic control circuit for the cable reel including a pump, a pump divertor valve, a hydraulic motorpump connected to drive the reel, an auxiliary valve, a shuttle valve, and a tank;

said pump having its inlet port connected to tank;

said divertor valve havinga first port connected to the pump outlet port,

a second port connected to tank, and

third and fourth ports;

said auxiliary valve havinga first port connected to tank,

a second port connected to the divertor valve third port, and

third and fourth ports;

said shuttle valve havinga first port connected to the auxiliary valve third a second port connected to the high pressure side of the motor-pump through a conduit,

a third port connected to the divertor valve fourth port by a line; said auxiliary valve having its fourth port connected through a check valve into said line, said check valve enabling one-way flow toward said line; said motor-pump having its low pressure side connected to tank; said shuttle valve having a closure element movable responsive to pressure thereon into a first condition for closing its first port and connecting its second and third ports, and a second condition for closing the third port and connecting the first and second ports; said divertor valve being selectively operable to one of the following three conditionsan ON position in which the first and fourth ports are interconnected and the second and third ports are interconnected, an OFF position in which the first and fourth ports are connected with the second port, and an AUTOMATIC position in which the first and third ports are interconnected and the second and fourth ports are interconnected; said auxiliary valve being operable responsive to operation of the tram control means to one of the following two conditions- 6 auxiliary valve second and fourth ports are interconnected and first and third ports are interconnected in FORWARD condition of the tram control means; and auxiliary valve first and fourth ports are interconnected and second and third ports are interconnected in the REVERSE condition of the tram control means. 6. The combination of claim 5 in which said conduit 10 has means for restricting flow from the motor-pump.

RICHARD J. JOHNSON, Primary Examiner.

M. L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A MOVABLE MACHINE HAVING TRAM DRIVE MEANS ENERGIZED THROUGH A POWER CABLE WITH ONE END PORTION WOUND UPON A CABLE REEL CARRIED BY THE MACHINE AND ANOTHER END PORTION FASTENED TO A NIP REMOTE FROM THE MACHINE; TRAM CONTROL MEANS FOR THE TRAM DRIVE MEANS BEING SELECTIVELY ACTUATABLE TO "FORWARD" CONDITION FOR TRAMMING THE MACHINE AWAY FROM THE NIP WHILE PAYING OFF CABLE FROM THE REEL, TO "REVERSE" CONDITION FOR TRAMMING THE MACHINE TOWARD THE NIP WHILE WINDING CABLE ONTO THE REEL, AND TO "NEUTRAL" CONDITION FOR TRAMMING IN NEITHER DIRECTION; A HYDRAULIC CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR THE CABLE REEL INCLUDING A PUMP, A PUMP DIVERTOR VALVE, A HYDRAULIC MOTOR-PUMP CONNECTED TO DRIVE THE REEL, AND A TANK ARRANGED IN SERIES RELATION; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: SAID DIVERTOR VALVE BEING SELECTIVELY OPERABLE TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE CONDITIONSAN "ON" POSITION IN WHICH THE PUMP OUTLET IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE DIVERTOR VALVE TO THE INLET OF THE MOTOR-PUMP, AN "OFF" POSITION IN WHICH THE PUMP OUTLET IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE DIVERTOR VALVE TO THE TANK, BYPASSING THE MOTOR-PUMP, AND AN "AUTOMATIC" POSITION IN WHICH THE PUMP OUTLET IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE DIVERTOR VALVE TO THE INLET OF AN AUXILIARY VALVE; SAID AUXILIARY VALVE BEING OPERABLE RESPONSIVE TO OPERATION OF THE TRAM CONTROL MEANS TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONSA POSITION IN WHICH THE PUMP OUTLET IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE DIVERTOR VALVE AND THE AUXILIARY VALVE TO THE TANK IN "FORWARD" CONDITION OF THE TRAM CONTROL MEANS; AND A POSITION IN WHICH THE PUMP OUTLET IS CONNECTED THROUGH THE DIVERTOR VALVE AND THE AUXILIARY VALVE TO THE INLET OF THE MOTOR-PUMP IN THE "REVERSE" CONDITION OF THE TRAM CONTROL MEANS. 